BROSTRÖMS PLACES AN ORDER FOR TWO NEWBUILDINGS

BROSTRÖMS PLACES AN ORDER FOR TWO NEWBUILDINGS In order to further improve its service to its customers, Broströms' wholly owned subsidiary Van Ommeren Tankers SA, Paris has now placed an order with 3. Maj in Croatia for two 35,000 dwt, 42,000 cbm, product chemical tankers, IMO 2, with epoxy-coated tanks. The two newbuildings are due for delivery by the end of 2000 and mid 2001 and the intention is that Van Ommeren Tankers at the delivery of the vessels shall have a 25 percent owning share in the project and external investors the remaining part. Both vessels will be French-flagged, if the French Tax Lease is granted to the operators. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year Van Ommeren Tankers sold two older product tankers, PORT BRIAC (20,000 dwt, built 1980) and PORT RACINE (6,700 dwt, built 1982) as part of an upgrading and renewal plan for its fleet. In addition to the above order there are further three vessels in the size of 16,000 - 18,000 dwt to be delivered to Broströms from a Spanish yard, whereof one for an external partner. Two of these vessels are equipped with cargo tanks of solid stainless steel. Since 1995 14 product/chemical tankers in the size of 6,000 - 70,000 dwt have been delivered to Broströms. The average age of the Broström fleet is around 8 years, whereas the world fleet age in the same segment is around 16 years. With a fleet of more than 50 vessels, size 4,000 - 80,000 dwt, Broströms is in its selected market segments the largest operator in Europe and one of the largest in the world with a total capacity of around 1.5 million dwt. Göteborg, 17 March 1999 BROSTRÖM VAN OMMEREN SHIPPING AB (publ) For further information: Lennart Simonsson, Managing Director, tel +46 31 61 61 00 Broström Van Ommeren Shipping in one of the leading logistics providers for the oil and chemical industries, with a focus on industrial tanker shipping and marine services. The Group has 1,200 employees and net sales of approximately SEK 2.2 billion. General information can be found on the Internet: www.brostroms.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/09/20040109BIT00290/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/09/20040109BIT00290/wkr0002.pdf